AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Codon*-A codon is the sequence of three consecutive nucleotides that occurs in mRNA which directs the incorporation of a specific amino acid into a protein or represents the starting or termination signals of protein synthesis.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Genetic Code is a collection of Codons of mRNA, each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid into a protein during protein synthesis (the making of a protein).

Detailed explanation-3: -The three-letter nature of codons means that the four nucleotides found in mRNA-A, U, G, and C-can produce a total of 64 different combinations. Of these 64 codons, 61 represent amino acids, and the remaining three represent stop signals, which trigger the end of protein synthesis.

Detailed explanation-4: -During translation, ribosomal subunits assemble together like a sandwich on the strand of mRNA, where they proceed to attract tRNA molecules tethered to amino acids (circles). A long chain of amino acids emerges as the ribosome decodes the mRNA sequence into a polypeptide, or a new protein.

Detailed explanation-5: -The tRNA is located in the ribosome’s first docking site. This tRNA’s anticodon is complementary to the mRNA’s initiation codon, where translation starts. The tRNA carries the amino acid that corresponds to that codon. The next mRNA codon is now exposed in the ribosome’s other docking site.